When is the best time to fish at the Jersey Shore?

The fall run (September-December) is the best fishing of the year, with trophy striped bass migrating south along the coast. Summer (June-August) is great for fluke, bluefish, and offshore tuna. Spring (April-May) brings the first stripers and is excellent for black drum in Delaware Bay.

What is the fall striper run in New Jersey?

The fall striper run is the legendary migration of striped bass along the NJ coast from September through December. As bass move south, they feed heavily on bunker, creating incredible fishing from both shore and boats. November typically produces the biggest trophy fish.

When does fluke season open in New Jersey?

Fluke (summer flounder) season in NJ typically runs from late May through September. Check the current NJ Fish & Wildlife regulations for exact dates, size limits (usually 18-19 inches), and bag limits (3-5 fish) as they can change annually.

What fish can you catch year-round in New Jersey?

Tautog (blackfish) provide excellent year-round action around structure, with peak fishing in fall and spring. Striped bass can be caught most of the year with peaks in spring and fall. Winter flounder offer early spring opportunities. Offshore tuna trips run from June through October.

NJ Fishing Calendar

Know what's biting and when. The Jersey Shore offers year-round fishing with different species dominating each season.

14Species Tracked

12Months Covered

Sep-DecPeak Season

Fishing in February

Also Available

Winter Flounder

Full Year Calendar

Click on any species to see detailed information including regulations and best methods.

Species	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Striped Bass	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak
Bluefish	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off
Fluke (Summer Flounder)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off
Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off
Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off
Sea Bass (Black Sea Bass)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off
Tautog (Blackfish)	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Off	Off	Off	Off	Peak	Peak	Good
Weakfish (Sea Trout)	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Good	Good	Off	Off	Off
Winter Flounder	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off
Shark (Mako, Thresher, Blue)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off
Black Drum	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off
Croaker	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off
Kingfish (Northern Whiting)	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off	Off	Off
False Albacore	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Off	Good	Peak	Peak	Good	Off

Peak Season

Good Season

Off Season

Seasonal Overview

January - February

Cold water fishing. Tautog and winter flounder for dedicated anglers.

Tautog around wrecks and jetties

March - April

Spring awakening. Winter flounder peak, black drum migration, early stripers.

Black drum in Delaware Bay, first stripers

May - June

Season heats up. Stripers, weakfish, fluke season opens, bluefish arrive.

Prime striped bass, fluke season opener

July - August

Peak summer. Offshore tuna and shark, inshore fluke, bluefish blitzes.

Canyon tuna trips, peak bluefish action

September - October

The legendary fall run begins. Trophy stripers, false albacore, continued tuna.

FALL RUN - Best fishing of the year

November - December

Trophy season. Biggest stripers of the year, tautog, late season blues.

Trophy striped bass, tautog peak

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Gear Guide by Season

Your tackle box should change with the seasons. Here's what to prioritize.

❄️

Winter (Jan-Feb)

Target: Tautog, Winter Flounder

Essential Gear:

Braided line (30-40lb) — Sensitivity for subtle tog bites

Fluorocarbon leader (40-50lb) — Abrasion resistance around rocks

Jig heads (1-3oz) — Drop to structure quickly

Asian crabs — Top tog bait—keep alive in cooler

Clothing: Layered clothing, waterproof boots, hand warmers essential

Pro Tip: Fish slack tide when tautog are most active. They're sluggish in current.

🌸

Spring (Mar-May)

Target: Striped Bass, Black Drum, Winter Flounder

Essential Gear:

Bloodworms — Spring stripers feed on worms in marshes

Circle hooks (5/0-7/0) — Required for stripers in many areas

Light spinning rod (7-8ft) — Casting soft plastics for schoolies

Fish finder rigs — Bottom fishing for flounder and drum

Clothing: Variable temps—bring layers, rain gear. Water still cold.

Pro Tip: Follow the bunker schools. Where bunker go, stripers follow.

☀️

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Target: Fluke, Bluefish, Tuna, Shark

Essential Gear:

Bucktails (2-6oz) — The #1 fluke lure—add squid strips

Wire leaders — Blues will bite through mono instantly

Heavy spinning/conventional — For offshore species

Gulp! baits — Fluke magnets—Grubs and Swimming Mullet

Clothing: Sun protection critical. Polarized glasses, hat, sunscreen.

Pro Tip: Dawn and dusk for blues. Fluke bite all day if you're drifting right.

🍂

Fall (Sep-Dec)

Target: Trophy Stripers, False Albacore, Bluefish, Tautog

Essential Gear:

Bunker snag hooks — Live-lining fresh bunker is deadly

Large swimming plugs — Daiwa SP Minnow, Bomber, Redfin classics

Heavy surf rod (10-11ft) — Casting distance for beach fishing

Metals and tins — Hopkins, AVA jigs for blitzing fish

Clothing: Waders for surf fishing. Water temps drop fast after October.

Pro Tip: Follow the birds. Diving gulls and terns mark feeding fish.

Reading the Conditions

Smart anglers fish the conditions, not just the calendar.

🌬️

Wind Direction

Good: West, Northwest winds flatten the surf, improve visibility

Bad: East, Northeast winds stir up sand, create rough conditions

💡 Fish the lee side of jetties and inlets during wind. Protected water holds fish.

🌊

Tide

Good: Moving water (first 2 hours of incoming/outgoing) activates fish

Bad: Slack tide = slack action. Fish holding, not feeding.

💡 Plan to fish the hour before and after tide changes. Prime feeding windows.

🌙

Moon Phase

Good: Full and new moons create stronger tides, move more bait

Bad: Quarter moons mean weaker tides and slower fishing

💡 Big stripers feed at night during full moons. Plan late night sessions.

🌡️

Water Temperature

Good: Consistent temps keep fish active. Warm water for summer species.

Bad: Rapid temp changes (cold fronts) shut down feeding

💡 Check water temp forecasts. Spring striper bite starts around 50°F.

📊

Barometric Pressure

Good: Stable or falling pressure increases fish activity

Bad: Rising pressure after storms can slow fishing

💡 Fish immediately before cold fronts—fish feed heavily sensing weather change.

Useful Apps:

Windy: Wind forecasts, current directionFishWeather: Fishing-specific forecastsNOAA Tides: Accurate tide tablesSurfline: Surf conditions for beach fishing

Plan Your Trip by Experience

Plan your seasonal trip based on your experience and goals.

🎣

First-Timer

Best Season: Summer (June-August)

Why: Mild weather, abundant fluke, forgiving conditions

Approach: Book a half-day charter

Expect: Captain provides gear, bait, and guidance. Just show up and fish.

Budget: $75-150/person for party boat, $500-800 for private charter (split)

📅 1-2 weeks minimum, more for weekends

🎯

Intermediate

Best Season: Spring or Early Fall (Apr-May, Sep-Oct)

Why: Better fishing, manageable conditions, learn seasonal patterns

Approach: Mix of charter trips and shore fishing

Expect: Target specific species. Learn to read conditions and adjust.

Budget: $150-300/trip including charter or surf gear

📅 2-3 weeks for popular fall run dates

🏆

Advanced

Best Season: Fall Run (Oct-Dec) or Winter (Jan-Feb)

Why: Trophy fish, challenging conditions, fewer crowds

Approach: Private charter for tuna, surf fishing for stripers

Expect: Plan around conditions. Flexibility needed for weather windows.

Budget: $300-600/trip for offshore, minimal for surf fishing

📅 Fall run books months ahead. Reserve Sept/Oct by July.

First-Timer Seasonal Guide

New to Jersey Shore fishing? Here's what to expect each season.

▼

Summer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Families, first-timers, casual anglers

Expect: High success rate. Most party boats catch fish every trip.

Targets: Fluke, sea bass, blues, porgies

Challenge: Crowds. Book ahead and expect busy boats on weekends.

Fall

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Serious anglers willing to brave cool weather

Expect: Incredible action when it's on, but requires flexibility.

Targets: Striped bass, false albacore, bluefish

Challenge: Weather-dependent. Fall fronts can cancel trips.

Winter

⭐⭐

Die-hards only. Cold, challenging, but rewarding.

Expect: Fewer trips run. Hardcore tautog anglers thrive.

Targets: Tautog, blackfish

Challenge: Extreme cold. Many boats don't run. Limited options.

Spring

⭐⭐⭐

Anglers eager to shake off winter rust

Expect: Variable. Great days mixed with slow stretches.

Targets: Striped bass, winter flounder, black drum

Challenge: Unpredictable weather. Fish arriving in waves.

Common Seasonal Mistakes

✗ Booking fall run trips too late✓ Prime October dates book up by August

✗ Fishing summer midday in the surf✓ Dawn/dusk produce—midday is slow

✗ Not checking regulations before going✓ Sizes, limits, seasons change yearly

✗ Overdressing/underdressing✓ Layer up. Weather changes fast on water.

✗ Ignoring tide times✓ Fish the tidal changes, not random hours

Species Guide

Striped Bass

Peak: Apr, May, Oct, Nov, DecGood: Mar, Jun, Sep

The fall run (September-December) is legendary. November-December is peak season for trophy fish. Spring run starts in April.

Best Methods

surfcharterjettypier

Top Techniques

bunker chunkslive eelsplugsswimming metals

Regulations

Size: 28-31 inch slot

Limit: 1 fish

Circle hooks required with natural bait. Gaffing prohibited.

Bluefish

Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug, SepGood: May, Oct

Summer bluefish blitzes are spectacular. Follow schools of bunker and birds for action. Year-round availability.

Best Methods

surfcharterparty boatjettypier

Top Techniques

metalsplugscut bait

Regulations

Limit: 3 fish

No minimum size limit.

Fluke (Summer Flounder)

Peak: Jun, Jul, AugGood: May, Sep

Peak season is summer months. Barnegat Bay and back bays are productive. Good on party boats.

Best Methods

charterparty boatbay

Top Techniques

bucktailsstrip baitslive minnows

Regulations

Size: 18 inches

Limit: 3 fish

Season: May 4 - Sept 25

Tuna (Bluefin, Yellowfin)

Peak: Jul, Aug, SepGood: Jun, Oct

Canyon trips 60-70 miles offshore. Bluefin up to 550 lbs documented. Peak is August.

Best Methods

chartercanyon

Top Techniques

trollingchunkingjigging

Regulations

Federal regulations apply. Check NOAA for current limits.

Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin)

Peak: Jul, AugGood: Jun, Sep

Offshore species found around floating debris and weedlines. Colorful and great eating.

Best Methods

chartercanyon

Top Techniques

trollinglive bait

Sea Bass (Black Sea Bass)

Peak: May, Jun, Sep, OctGood: Jul, Aug, Nov

Excellent table fare. Found around wrecks and structure. Party boats target consistently.

Best Methods

charterparty boatpier

Top Techniques

squidclamsjigs

Regulations

Size: 13 inches

Limit: 10 fish

Season dates vary - check current regulations.

Tautog (Blackfish)

Peak: Oct, Nov, Apr, MayGood: Mar, Dec

Year-round availability. Green crabs are go-to bait. Jetties and wrecks are prime spots.

Best Methods

charterjettypier

Top Techniques

green crabsasian crabsclams

Regulations

Size: 15 inches

Limit: Varies by season

Spring and fall seasons with different limits.

Weakfish (Sea Trout)

Peak: May, JunGood: Apr, Jul, Aug, Sep

Delaware Bay and back bays are productive. Population has been recovering. Dawn and dusk are prime.

Best Methods

baysurfpier

Top Techniques

soft plasticslive shrimpbucktails

Regulations

Size: 13 inches

Limit: 1 fish

Winter Flounder

Peak: Mar, AprGood: Feb, May

Early spring species. Bay and inlet fishing. Recovering population.

Best Methods

baypier

Top Techniques

bloodwormsclam stripssandworms

Regulations

Size: 12 inches

Limit: 2 fish

Shark (Mako, Thresher, Blue)

Peak: Jul, AugGood: Jun, Sep

Offshore species. Mako sharks are prized for sport and table. Dedicated shark charters available.

Best Methods

chartercanyon

Top Techniques

chunkingtrollinglive bait

Black Drum

Peak: Apr, MayGood: Mar, Jun

Spring migration in Delaware Bay. Can reach 50+ lbs. Best in southern NJ.

Best Methods

surfbay

Top Techniques

clamscrabssand fleas

Regulations

Size: 16 inches

Limit: 3 fish

Croaker

Peak: Jul, AugGood: Jun, Sep

Summer species. Good for families. Fun to catch on light tackle.

Best Methods

surfpierbay

Top Techniques

bloodwormssquidshrimp

Kingfish (Northern Whiting)

Peak: Jul, AugGood: Jun, Sep

Summer surf species. Excellent table fare. Often caught with croaker.

Best Methods

surfpier

Top Techniques

bloodwormssquidfish finder rigs

False Albacore

Peak: Sep, OctGood: Aug, Nov

Fall run species. Fast and acrobatic. Island Beach State Park is prime territory.

Best Methods

surfcharter

Top Techniques

metalsepoxy jigssmall plugs

The Legendary Fall Run

September through December marks the most exciting fishing of the year on the Jersey Shore. As striped bass migrate south along the coast, they push massive schools of bunker and other baitfish, creating a feeding frenzy that surf fishermen and charter boats alike live for.

September: False albacore arrive, early migrating stripers appear
October: The run builds momentum, stripers feeding heavily
November: Peak action, trophy fish move through
December: Late-season giants, dedicated anglers score big

Hot Spots: Island Beach State Park, Sandy Hook, LBI, Belmar jetties

Methods: Live bunker, bunker chunks, swimming plugs, metals at dawn/dusk

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